Stores Of The Year: Two Projects From Umdasch The Store Makers Receive Awards

Once a year, the Association selects the most innovative and outstanding stores in Germany in five categories. The umdasch Store Makers are all the prouder that this year two of their highlight projects were awarded Stores of the Year and another was nominated.

Musikhaus Thomann in Burgebrach-Treppendorf won the Out of Line category. It offers musicians, stage technicians and music enthusiasts of all ages Europe’s largest selection of musical instruments. The aim of the umdasch designers’ concept was to create an inspiring experience space in which visitors can try out the large selection of instruments without any fear of contact. For this reason, the store has a number of soundproofed play rooms. In addition, each product range area reflects the individual identity of the product group, but at the same time is characterized by overarching design elements that run through the entire store.

The BETTENRID flagship store in Munich’s Theatinerstrasse, which was renovated in three construction phases from 2018 to 2023, is the winner in the Home/Living category. The Store Makers were responsible for the design, shopfitting and general contracting of the entire store and converted it in the style of an elegant old apartment. This charm is reflected in many design elements, from herringbone parquet flooring, wall paneling and built-in shelves to the integrated coffee bar “Rosa’s Lounge” and signature pieces such as a decorative fireplace or a traditional washstand. Another umdasch project, the traditional toy store Puppenkönig in Bonn, was also among the nominees.

Every year, the German Retail Association selects the best and most interesting stores in five categories as part of the “Stores of the Year” competition. The high-caliber jury of experts from retail companies and institutions assesses the stores according to their degree of innovation, customer benefit, value creation potential, experience value, mission statement function and unique selling point.